Matt Rausch

The 2019 city council election will see one final candidate as Matt Rausch has entered the race before the candidate filing deadline, joining two incumbents and a fellow challenger for three available seats.

“Being involved in the community is important to me and you can’t complain about a situation unless you’re trying to help,” Rausch said. “I had a few people asked me to run and that helped me decide to run.

Rausch is a lifelong resident of the Traer area who grew up on a farm outside of town. A 1998 graduate of North Tama, Rausch currently works as a tool and die maker at John Deere and previously worked under his father at Clearline Industries. He has been a volunteer in Traer for 17 years and is the Assistant Chief. Rausch and wife Regan have three kids-Logan, Gavin and Harper-in town and all at North Tama.

“I want to see the city grow, not dwindle down and get smaller,” Rausch said. “The school system is important Traer. If that can grow again, the city will grow and get younger families here in Traer.”

Rausch hopes to bring a “level-headed” approach to the council if elected and bring his own opinion to the table. Growth and maintaining Traer as a place to live are among his best biggest concerns as a resident.

“You’re always going to need streets repaired and I feel the street department does a pretty good job with what they are given,” Rausch said. “As far as growth, we need to make it appealing to come here and for young people to start up a business. They are very few places in town to start a plumbing business. We need to make it easier for that, whether it be tax abatement or more support.”

In recent council meeting, the council has discussed forming a Traer Police Department in lue of services from the Tama County Sheriff’s Office. Rausch is open to exploring the idea, yet believes little change would come out of it.

“I feel the Tama County Sheriff’s Office has done a pretty good job really,” Rausch said. “I don’t think you want a police force here you can set your clock by. It’s easy when you know the cops are only in Traer at these times. I don’t know if having our own police force is really what we want. It’s something to look into, but it will cost a lot of money.”

Outside of work, Rausch is involved in the Redhawk Wrestling Club, North Tama Athletic Boosters and volunteers for youth sports programs.